What Are Viral Warts? Here's How You Can Treat It

Do you keep getting small, rough bumps on your skin? Do you keep cutting it off and it still comes back? Then you may have viral wart.

Common warts are small, grainy skin growths that occur most often on the fingers, or hands. They are rough to touch and have tiny black dots which are the clotted blood vessels. They are caused by a virus and are transmitted by touch.

It should not be confused with plantar war, as plantar means bottom of the foot. The viral wart is caused by the HPV virus, which is the human papillomavirus.

Why Should You Not Cut It Off?

If you cut the war yourself, then it can cut the blood vessels, leading to excessive bleeding. This can lead to koebnerization or the Koebner phenomenon (KP). This was first described in 1876 by Heinrich Koebner, it is the appearance of new skin lesion on previously unaffected skin secondary to trauma.

This condition is most common in people with psoriasis, however, it is not as common in people with warts, vitiligo and lichen planus, though it can still occur. When a skin injury penetrates your skin's top layer or the epidermis and middle layer, which is the dermis, it may cause Koebner phenomenon.

How Can You Treat Viral Warts?

You can use over the counter salicylic acid, as it is a common remedy which works by softening and gradually peeling away the infected skin. Regular application of it can break down the wart tissue over time.

Another common way is duct tape, which is used as an alternative treatment. The wart is covered for extended periods, which helps suffocate and weaken the war and makes it easier to remove after exfoliation.

Freezing is another technique, also known as cryotherapy. This involves freezing the war with liquid nitrogen, is a more aggressive treatment that causes the wart to blister and eventually fall off. This is usually performed by a healthcare professional, though at-home freezing kits are available.

However, improper use of these treatments can cause irritation or skin damage, thus it is important to go see a doctor and seek proper medical guidance.